New Orleans Saints should let Terron Armstead test free agency
The New Orleans Saints can’t afford to keep all of their pending free agents and one they’re probably going to have to let walk is left tackle, Terron Armstead.
Armstead has spent the entirety of his nine-year career with the Saints in the Big Easy but the injury problems poised with his age (he’ll turn 31 in July) could force NOLA’s hand here.
Michelle Bruton of Bleacher Report listed one move that will happen in free agency for every NFL team and for the Saints, it was letting Armstead walk.
"Even if the Saints weren’t in cap crisis, the team can’t pay top dollar for a left tackle to protect their giant question mark at quarterback. Jameis Winston is coming off a knee injury and set to hit free agency, and Taysom Hill is rehabbing following surgery for the foot injury he suffered in the Saints’ final game. It doesn’t make sense to pay someone who will become one of the priciest left tackles in the league."
Armstead will be expensive and we’ve seen what left tackles covet these days (just look at Trent Williams’ contract). If Armstead was still at the top of his game and able to remain healthy, then yes, I’d be onboard with the Saints keeping him around but that isn’t the case.
As sad as it is to picture Armstead not in the Big Easy, the best financial decision for New Orleans is letting their long-time left tackle test free agency. He’ll land a massive contract somewhere and that team will see why the Saints didn’t break the bank for him, as he’ll likely continue to battle injuries and Father Time.
Letting Terron Armstead walk is best decision for New Orleans Saints
If Armstead walks, New Orleans will find themselves in desperate need for a left tackle. They could turn to free agency themselves and sign someone like Eric Fisher to take over that side of the o-line or they could opt to land their next franchise left tackle in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Armstead was still there for the taking in the third round so who knows? Maybe the Saints could get lucky and find a franchise left tackle in this year’s draft.
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I’d love to see Terron Armstead back in New Orleans but only if it’s for a hometown discount. He’s not worth the amount of money he’s probably going to land elsewhere so the Saints need to beware of giving him a major payday and let him walk this offseason.